An injury time strike, deep into stoppage time, spared Leeds blushes as they came from two-nil down to came a point, on the opening day of the 23-24 Championship season. With Bamford and Rutter injured, Willy Gnonto led the line, with Luis Sinisterra tucked in behind him; it wasn't an ideal setup, but at least it meant Leeds were able to utilize the services of Dan James and Crysencio Summerville in wide positions.

Leeds looked dangerous from kick off. Gnonto's close ball control, and turn of pace caused the Cardiff defence all kinds of problems, whilst as we know, Sinisterra can strike the ball from anywhere, but Cardiff were up to the task. They defended resolutely, thwarting everything Leeds threw at them in the opening half. The Bluebirds opened the scoring midway through the first half. O'Dowda was given acres of space down his left flank (Leeds right)with Ayling nowhere to be seen. He tee'd up Bowler from 12 yards out, but his initial effort was blocked by Ampadu. The rebound fell nicely back to him; this time, even though surrounded by five defenders, stabbed the ball past Meslier.

Bowler turned contributor for Cardiff's second, five minutes before half time. He exploited Leeds weakness down his right (Leeds left), easing his way past a disappointing Leo Hjelde, before cutting the ball back to Arron Ramsey. The Welsh International spun, turned and fire an effort, straight into the shins of Liam Cooper. The ball spun towards the far post, where Iké Ugbo reacted quickest to stab the ball home, silencing the Elland Road crowd.

Daniel Farke's half time talk worked wonders, as Leeds reduced the deficit just four minutes into the second half. Liam Cooper flung himself at Summerville's out-swinging corner, beating the keeper for pace, but landed awkwardly, and was stretchered from the ground soon after. Leeds continued to ask all the questions, but had to wait until the fifth minute of injury time for a reply. Sinisterra's speculative effort was blocked, but Summerville's instinctive strike ensured the spoils were shared.

	Line Up		Nat	Match Events
	1	Meslier, Illan Goalkeeper
	2	Ayling, Luke Defender
	33	Hjelde, Leo Defender
	21	Struijk, Pascal Defender
	6	Cooper, Liam Defender
	4	Ampadu, Ethan Midfielder
	22	Gray, Archie Midfielder
	23	Sinisterra, Luis Midfielder
	10	Summerville, Crysencio Midfielder
	20	James, Daniel Midfielder
	29	Gnonto, Wilfried Midfielder
	Subs		Nat	Match Events
	25	Byram, Sam Defender
	5	Cresswell, Charlie Defender
	30	Gelhardt, Joe Forward
	27	Poveda, Ian Midfielder
	16	Perkins, Sonny Forward
	17	Shackleton, Jamie Midfielder		Unused Sub
	18	Gyabi, Darko Midfielder		Unused Sub
	26	Bate, Lewis Midfielder		Unused Sub
	26	Darlow, Karl Goalkeeper		Unused Sub

		Debuts	Nat	DOB	Joined
		Gray, Archie Midfielder		12/03/2006 (17)	01/08/2021
		Ampadu, Ethan Midfielder		14/09/2000 (22)	19/07/2023

	References
	LEEDSTATS: Leeds United Season 2023/2024
	Sheridan Dictates: Season Statistics 2023-24
	Leeds United Programme Guide: Season 2023/24